Entry and exit is easy to raised front seating that is eight-way adjustable with heaters and extendable cushions for thigh support. Sightlines are unobstructed over the shoulder and further enhanced with the rearview camera with guidance lines.

There is reasonable and untaxing access to cabin controls via Audi’s multi-media controller. My phone synchronized in seconds and the booming Bang & Olufsen audio system is a desirable extra. The power tailgate is unnecessary but enjoyable.

I thrashed the test along a muddy truck trail after a recent heavy rain. I splashed through a 20-foot puddle of standing water and felt the quattro system move power as the street tires squished through mud.

It was a cruel act, but the car did not complain.

The 211-hp, direct-injection 2.0-liter has quick turbo uptake and briskly moved the Allroad’s sturdy 3,900-pound curb weight. Mileage is claimed to be a decent 20 mpg city and 27 highway on premium and early in my more than 200 miles of testing the computer claimed a combined average of 24-plus mpg. But then I found Sport mode and stopped watching for fuel economy.

The suspension flexes and counteracts to absorb jolts and harshness with an organic smoothness, more muscle-like than mechanical. The disc brakes stop with absolute authority. The 12.6-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear are sourced from Audi’s larger A6 2.0T sedan.

This black Allroad would make a fine addition to my family fleet of old junkers, but the $50,000 as-tested price was daunting.

The top-line tester topped out at $50,670. It included the Prestige trim package, $9,200, which includes the major extras of adaptive lighting (xenon headlights and LED running lights with headlight leveling), side assist, advanced key (locking, ignition), Bang & Olufsen audio system and the navigation-plus system.